Sole structure with transversely movable coupler for selectable bending stiffness

ABSTRACT

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first plate and a second plate both extending longitudinally in a flexion region of the sole structure. The second plate is disposed above the first plate in the flexion region. The second plate has a fixed portion fixed to the first plate, and has a free portion. A coupler is operatively connected to one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate. The coupler is selectably movable transversely relative to the first plate and the second plate between a first position and a second position. The coupler is spaced apart from the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the first position, and operatively engages the other one of the first plate and the free portion of the second plate in the second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/513,161 filed May 31, 2017, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present teachings generally include a sole structure for an articleof footwear, with the sole structure having a transversely movablecoupler for adjusting a bending stiffness of the sole structure.

BACKGROUND

Footwear typically includes a sole structure configured to be locatedunder a wearer's foot to space the foot away from the ground. Solestructures in athletic footwear are configured to provide desiredcushioning, motion control, and resiliency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a plate assembly of a sole structure of anarticle of footwear.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first plate and a coupler included inthe plate assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first plate and the coupler of FIG. 2 withthe coupler in a first position.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first plate and the coupler of FIG. 3 withthe coupler in a second position.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a second plate, the coupler, and a thirdplate of the plate assembly of FIG. 1 with the coupler in the firstposition.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the second plate, the coupler, and the thirdplate of the plate assembly of FIG. 5 with the coupler in the secondposition.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the first plate of the plate assembly of FIG.1 and partially showing the coupler in the first position.

FIG. 8A is a medial side view of the plate assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8B is a fragmentary medial side view of the plate assembly of FIG.1 representing dorsiflexion with the coupler in the first position.

FIG. 8C is a fragmentary medial side view of the plate assembly of FIG.1 representing dorsiflexion with the coupler in the second position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the plate assembly of FIG. 1 takenat lines 9-9 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a lateral perspective view of a sole structure including amidsole, an outsole, and the plate assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a lateral perspective view of the sole structure of FIG. 10with the midsole removed.

FIG. 12 is a lateral perspective view of an article of footwearincluding the sole structure of FIG. 10, an upper, and a cable connectedto the coupler and extending around the upper.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the article of footwear of FIG. 12taken at lines 13-13 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of thearticle of footwear of FIG. 12 taken at lines 13-13 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the sole structure of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a coupler of the plateassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is another schematic perspective view of the coupler of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of a plate assembly of a solestructure of an article of footwear in an alternative aspect of thepresent teachings.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a first plate and a coupler of the plateassembly of FIG. 18 with the coupler in a first position.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the first plate and the coupler of the plateassembly of FIG. 18 with the coupler in a second position.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of a second plate, the coupler, and a thirdplate of the plate assembly of FIG. 18 with the coupler in the firstposition.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the second plate, the coupler, and the thirdplate of the plate assembly of FIG. 18 with the coupler in the secondposition.

FIG. 23 is a lateral perspective view of a sole structure including amidsole, an outsole, and the plate assembly of FIG. 18.

FIG. 24 is a lateral perspective view of the midsole of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a plan view of a plate assembly of a sole structure of anarticle of footwear with a coupler in a first position in an alternativeaspect of the present teachings.

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the plate assembly of FIG. 25 with the couplerin a second position.

FIG. 27 is a lateral side view of the plate assembly of FIG. 25.

DESCRIPTION

Some activities are best performed with a relatively stiff solestructure, while others are best performed with a less stiff (e.g., moreflexible) sole structure. A sole structure disclosed herein can beselectively adjusted by a wearer between a relatively low bendingstiffness and a relatively high bending stiffness as a user engages indifferent activities. The sole structure is configured so that theadjustment can be made while the user is wearing the article offootwear.

More particularly, a sole structure for an article of footwear comprisesa first plate and a second plate. Both the first plate and the secondplate extend longitudinally in a flexion region of the sole structurewith the second plate disposed above the first plate in the flexionregion. The second plate has a fixed portion fixed to the first plate,and has a free portion. A coupler is operatively connected to one of thefirst plate and the free portion of the second plate. The coupler isselectably movable transversely relative to the first plate and thesecond plate between a first position and a second position. The coupleris spaced apart from the other one of the first plate and the freeportion of the second plate when the coupler is in the first position.The coupler operatively engages the other one of the first plate and thefree portion of the second plate when the coupler is in the secondposition.

The plate assembly has a selectable binary stiffness because, with thecoupler in the first position, the first plate and the second plate bendindependently of one another, but when the coupler is in the secondposition, the first plate is operatively connected with the free portionof the second plate via the coupler, and the first plate and the secondplate bend as a single unit. The bending stiffness of the plate assemblyis greater when the coupler is in the second position, as a neutralbending axis of the plate assembly is between the first plate and thesecond plate, with the first plate bending in tension and the secondplate bending in compression. Accordingly, a wearer of an article offootwear can selectively adjust the bending stiffness of a solestructure that includes the plate assembly by moving the coupler fromthe first position to the second position, or from the second positionto the first position.

When the coupler is in the first position, the first plate has a portionin tension and a portion in compression during longitudinal bending ofthe sole structure at the flexion region. When the coupler is in thesecond position, the first plate is in tension and the second plate isin compression during longitudinal bending of the sole structure at theflexion region.

The second plate may be spaced apart from the first plate by a verticalgap in the flexion region. For example, the sole structure may furthercomprise stanchions extending from at least one of the first plate andthe second plate across the vertical gap. The stanchions maintain thevertical gap between the first plate and the second plate duringlongitudinal bending of the sole structure in the flexion region.

In one or more embodiments, the stanchions include a medial set ofstanchions extending adjacent a medial edge of the one of the firstplate and the second plate to which the coupler is connected. Thestanchions further include a lateral set of stanchions adjacent alateral edge of the one of the first plate and the second plate to whichthe coupler is connected. The stanchions also include a central set ofstanchions disposed between the medial set and the lateral set andextending from the other one of the first plate and the second platethan the medial set and the lateral set.

In one or more embodiments, each stanchion of the medial set and eachstanchion of the lateral set has a groove at an inward side of thestanchion. Each stanchion of the central set has a medial lip at themedial side of the stanchion and a lateral lip at the lateral side ofthe stanchion. The medial lip interfits with the groove of the medialset and the lateral lip interfits with the groove of the lateral set.

In one or more embodiments, at the fixed portion of the second plate, adistal surface of the second plate has one of a protrusion and a recess.A proximal surface of the first plate has the other one of theprotrusion and the recess. The protrusion fits into the recess. Therecess may be an annular groove, and the protrusion may be an annularprotrusion.

In one or more embodiments, a third plate is fixed to the first plate onthe same side of the first plate as the second plate. The third plate isspaced longitudinally apart from the second plate by a longitudinal gap.The coupler is at least partially nested between the first plate and thethird plate. The longitudinal gap exists at least during longitudinalbending of the sole structure over a flexion range, and the flexionrange may be selected to be a greater range than is expected during useof the sole structure in a certain activity so that the longitudinal gapexists during the activity.

In one or more embodiments, the sole structure further comprises amidsole having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region.The midsole overlies the first plate and the second plate. The midsolehas an opening extending from a proximal surface of the midsole to adistal surface of the midsole in the forefoot region. The first plateand the second plate extend in the opening.

In one or more embodiments, the coupler is fixed to the first plate. Thesecond plate has a protrusion with a wall at least partially facing thecoupler. The coupler abuts the wall when the coupler is in the secondposition.

In one or more embodiments, the coupler includes a first link and asecond link. The first link is pivotably connected to the first plate ata fixed pivot. The second link is pivotably connected to the first linkat a movable pivot. The second link has a free end, and the movablepivot is disposed between the fixed pivot and the free end of the secondlink. The first link and the second link move transversely relative tothe first plate at the movable pivot when the coupler moves from thefirst position to the second position. The free end of the second linkis spaced apart from the free portion of the second plate when thecoupler is in the first position, and operatively engages the secondplate when the coupler is in the second position.

In one or more embodiments, at least one cable is secured to the couplerat the movable pivot. A medial portion of the at least one cable extendslaterally-outward from the movable pivot beyond a medial edge of thefirst plate, and a lateral portion of the at least one cable extendslaterally-outward from the movable pivot beyond a lateral edge of thefirst plate. The coupler is transversely movable from the first positionto the second position by a laterally-outward force on one of the medialportion and the lateral portion of the at least one cable. The coupleris transversely movable from the second position to the first positionby a laterally-outward force on the other of the medial portion and thelateral portion of the at least one cable.

The movable pivot may be transversely offset from both the fixed pivotand the free end of the second link toward one of the lateral edge andthe medial edge of the first plate when the coupler is in the firstposition, and the movable pivot may be transversely offset from both thefixed pivot and the free end of the second link toward the other one ofthe lateral edge and the medial edge of the first plate when the coupleris in the second position.

In some embodiments, an upper may be secured to the sole structure. Themedial portion of the at least one cable may extend along a medial sideof the upper, and the lateral portion of the at least one cable mayextend along a lateral side of the upper.

In one or more embodiments, a sleeve may surround either or both of themedial portion and the lateral portion of the at least one cable. Forexample, an elastic sleeve may overlay the exterior of the upper, and beliftable away from the upper when a force with a laterally-outwardcomponent is applied to the sleeve and the at least one cabletherewithin, moving the coupler from the first position to the secondposition, or from the second position to the first position.

In one or more embodiments, the coupler has a medial end extendinglaterally-outward of a medial edge of the first plate in both the firstposition and the second position, and a lateral end extendinglaterally-outward of a lateral edge of the first plate in both the firstposition and the second position. The medial end and the lateral end maythus be easily accessible to a wearer of an article of footwear with asole structure that includes the plate assembly, enabling a quickadjustment of bending stiffness when desired, with the article offootwear remaining on the wearer's foot.

In one or more embodiments, the coupler has a protrusion extendingtoward the other one of the first plate and the second plate, and theother one of the first plate and the second plate has a protrusionextending toward the coupler. For example, each of the protrusion. Theprotrusion of the coupler is transversely offset from and spaced apartfrom the protrusion of the other one of the first plate and the secondplate when the coupler is in the first position. The protrusion of thecoupler is at least partially aligned with and abuts the protrusion ofthe other one of the first plate and the second plate when the coupleris in the second position.

For example, the coupler may have a first set of teeth extendinglongitudinally toward the other one of the first plate and the secondplate, and the other one of the first plate and the second plate mayhave a second set of teeth extending longitudinally toward the coupler.The protrusion of the coupler may be one of the teeth of the first set,and the protrusion of the other one of the first plate and the secondplate may be one of the teeth of the second set. The teeth of the firstset are transversely offset from and spaced apart from the teeth of thesecond set when the coupler is in the first position. The teeth of thefirst set of teeth are at least partially aligned with and abut theteeth of the second set when the coupler is in the second position.

In one or more embodiments, a post extends from the one of the firstplate and the second plate. The coupler has a slot extending through thecoupler from a proximal surface of the coupler to a distal surface ofthe coupler. The post extends through the slot of the coupler. The postis at a first end of the slot when the coupler is in the first position.The post is at a second end of the slot opposite the first end when thecoupler is in the second position. The coupler may have a tab extendinginto the slot such that the slot is narrowed at the tab. The post may bebetween the first end of the slot and the tab when the coupler is in thefirst position, and the post may be between the second end of the slotand the tab when the coupler is in the second position.

In one or more embodiments, the sole structure further comprises amidsole at least partially surrounding the first plate and the secondplate. The midsole has a medial side wall with a medial opening. Themidsole has a lateral side wall with a lateral opening. The couplerextends through both of the medial opening and the lateral opening inboth the first position and the second position.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages ofthe present teachings are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the modes for carrying out the present teachings whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to likecomponents throughout the views, FIG. 1 is a plan view (i.e., a topview) of a plate assembly 10 of a sole structure for an article offootwear. A sole structure 12 including the plate assembly 10 is shownin FIG. 10, and an article of footwear 14 including the sole structure12 is shown in FIG. 12. The plate assembly 10 is configured to provide aselectable binary stiffness, adjustable by the wearer while the articleof footwear 14 is on the foot. Accordingly, a change from a relativelylow level of stiffness to a relatively high level of stiffness can bequickly and easily made by the wearer. For example, the relatively lowlevel of stiffness may be desirable for certain activities, such aswalking, while the relatively high level of stiffness may be desirablefor other activities such as when taking a golf swing.

With reference to FIG. 1, the plate assembly 10 includes a first plate16, a second plate 18, and a third plate 20. As used herein, the term“plate” refers to a member of a sole structure that is generallyhorizontally disposed when assembled in an article of footwear that isresting on the sole structure on a level ground surface, and isgenerally used to provide structure and form rather than cushioning. Aplate need not be a single component but instead can be multipleinterconnected components. Portions of a plate can be flat, and portionscan be pre-formed with some amount of curvature and variations inthickness when molded or otherwise formed in order to provide a shapedfootbed and/or increased thickness for reinforcement in desired areas.For example, in the plate assembly 10, each of the first plate 16, thesecond plate 18, and the third plate 20 are discrete components.However, the first plate 16, the second plate 18 and/or the third plate20 could be integral portions of a single, unitary component, similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 25-27, such as if the first plate 16, secondplate 18, and third plate 20 are three-dimensionally printed as a singlecomponent.

The first plate 16 has a forefoot region 22, a midfoot region 24, and aheel region 26. The forefoot region 22, midfoot region 24, and heelregion 26 correspond to and may be used to refer to like regions of thesole structure 12 and the article of footwear 14 and of any of thecomponents thereof. The forefoot region 22 generally includes portionsof the first plate 16 corresponding with the toes and the jointsconnecting the metatarsals with the phalanges of the human foot(interchangeably referred to herein as the “metatarsal-phalangealjoints” or “MPJ” joints). The midfoot region 24 generally includesportions of the first plate 16 corresponding with an arch area of thehuman foot, including the navicular joint. The heel region 26 generallyincludes portions of the first plate 16 corresponding with rear portionsof a human foot, including the calcaneus bone, when the human foot issupported on the sole structure and is a size corresponding with thesole structure. The forefoot region 22, the midfoot region 24, and theheel region 26 may also be referred to as a forefoot portion, a midfootportion, and a heel portion, respectively, and may also be used to referto corresponding regions of an upper and other components of an articleof footwear. The midfoot region 24 is disposed between the forefootregion 22 and the heel region 26, such that the forefoot region 22 isforward of (i.e., anterior to) the midfoot region 24 and the heel region26 is rearward of (i.e., posterior to) the midfoot region 24.

The first plate 16 has a medial edge 28 and a lateral edge 30, as bestshown in FIG. 3. The medial edge 28 and the lateral edge 30 extend alongthe forefoot region 22, the midfoot region 24, and the heel region 26.The plate assembly 10 is for a right foot. It should be understood thata plate assembly for a left foot is a mirror image of the plate assembly10.

Both the first plate 16 and the second plate 18 extend longitudinally ina flexion region 32 of the sole structure. The plate assembly 10 has alongitudinal axis L, and both plates 16, 18 extend along thelongitudinal axis L. The second plate 18 is disposed above the firstplate 16 in the flexion region 32. The flexion region 32 is generallythe region that corresponds to the metatarsal phalangeal joints (MPJjoints) of the foot. Accordingly, during dorsiflexion, the flexionregion 32 flexes along the longitudinal axis L.

The second plate 18 has a fixed portion 34 fixed to the first plate 16.More particularly, the fixed portion 34 is the portion of the secondplate 18 that is anterior to the flexion region 32. The fixed portion 34is aligned with and then secured to a first portion 35 (see FIG. 3) ofthe first plate 16 forward of the flexion region 32. The fixed portion34 can be aligned with the first portion 35 such as by fitting anannular protrusion 36 that extends from a distal surface 38 of thesecond plate 18 (see FIG. 5) into an annular recess 40 in a proximalsurface 42 of the first plate 16 (see FIG. 3). The annular protrusion 36and the annular recess 40 may be configured to provide an interferencefit, so that the fixed portion 34 is secured to the first portion 35 viathe interfitting protrusion 36 and recess 40. Alternatively, the annularprotrusion 36 may extend from the first plate 16, and the annular recess40 may be in the second plate 18. The annular protrusion 36 and theannular recess 40 are elongated ovals that extend longitudinally andalso extend transversely over more than half of the width of the firstportion 35, which helps to prevent any rotational displacement of thesecond plate 18 relative to the first plate 16 at the annular protrusion36. Alternatively, the annular protrusion 36 and the annular recess 40may have other shapes that are not annular.

The second plate 18 is positioned over the first plate 16 viainterfitting stanchions that extend in a vertical gap 44 (see FIGS.8A-8C) that exists between the first plate 16 and the second plate 18 inthe flexion region 32. The plate assembly 10 is configured so that thevertical gap 44 is uniform in height over the flexion region 32, or isat least sufficiently uniform such that the distal surface 38 of thesecond plate 18 is spaced apart from and does not come into contact withthe proximal surface 42 of the first plate 16 during longitudinalbending in the flexion region 32. Ensuring that the vertical gap 44remains during longitudinal bending of the plate assembly 10 enables thebending stiffness of the plate assembly 10 to be controlled by theposition of the coupler 60 described herein.

Stanchions 46A and 46B extend from the proximal surface 42 of the firstplate 16 across the vertical gap 44, and stanchions 46C extend from thedistal surface 38 of the second plate 18 across the vertical gap 44 tohelp maintain the uniform vertical gap 44. More specifically, a medialset of stanchions 46A extends adjacent the medial edge 28 of the firstplate 16, and a lateral set of stanchions 46B extend adjacent thelateral edge 30 of the first plate 16 as shown in FIG. 3. A central setof stanchions 46C extends from the second plate 18 and is disposedbetween the medial set 46A and the lateral set 46B in the assembledplate assembly 10. Alternatively, the medial set 46A and the lateral set46B may extend from the distal surface 38 of the second plate 18, andthe central set 46C may extend from the proximal surface 42 of the firstplate 16. The stanchions 46A, 46B, 46C help to prevent buckling of thesecond plate 18 when the second plate 18 is under longitudinalcompression during longitudinal bending as described herein.

The stanchions in each respective set 46A, 46B, 46C are spacedlongitudinally apart from one another, and are transversely aligned withthe stanchions of the other sets. The stanchions 46C interfit with thestanchions 46A, 46B to further position the second plate 18 relative tothe first plate 16 in the flexion region 32. More specifically, as bestshown in FIG. 9, each stanchion of the medial set 46A has a groove 48Aat a laterally-inward side of the stanchion, and each stanchion of thelateral set 46B has a groove 48B at a laterally-inward side of thestanchion. Each stanchion of the central set 46C has a medial lip 50A atthe medial side of the stanchion and a lateral lip 50B at the lateralside of the stanchion. The medial lip 50A interfits with the groove 48Aof the medial set 46A and the lateral lip 50B interfits with the groove48B of the lateral set 46B. As best shown in FIG. 9, the grooves 48A,48B and the transverse width of the stanchions 46C as well as the heightof the stanchions 46C are such that transverse gaps 47A exist betweenthe stanchions 46C and the stanchions 46A and 46B, and a vertical gap47B exists between the stanchions 46C and the proximal surface of thefirst plate 16. This enables some longitudinal movement of the secondplate 18 relative to the first plate 16 in the flexion region 32 duringlongitudinal bending of the plate assembly 10 when the coupler 60 is inthe first position. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a pair of stanchions46D extending from the first plate 16 interfit with a stanchion 46Dextending from the second plate 18 with lips 50C of the stanchion 46Efitting in grooves 48D of the stanchions 46D. The grooves 48D and lips50C as well as the height of the stanchion 46D are such that transversegaps exist between the stanchions 46D and the stanchion E, and avertical gap exists between the stanchion 46E and the proximal surfaceof the first plate 16 to enable some longitudinal movement of the secondplate 18 relative to the first plate 16 in the flexion region 32 duringlongitudinal bending of the plate assembly 10 when the coupler 60 is inthe first position.

When the recess 40 and protrusion 36 are interfit, the lips 50A, 50B ofthe stanchions 46C are interfit to the grooves 48A, 48B of thestanchions 46A, 46B, and the lips 50C of stanchion 46E are interfit withgrooves 48D of stanchions 46D, the second plate 18 is properlypositioned over the first plate 16. In this position, through-holes 52of the first plate 16 (see FIG. 3) align with through-holes 53 of thesecond plate 18 (see FIG. 5). Rivets, adhesive, or other securementmodes may be used at the aligned through-holes to fix the fixed portion34 of the second plate 18 to the first plate 16.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 8A, the second plate 18 has a free portion56 that is disposed rearward of the flexion region 32 when the fixedportion 34 of the second plate 18 is fixed to the first portion 35 ofthe first plate 16. The free portion 56 is referred to as “free” becauseit is not fixed relative to an underlying portion of the first plate 16when the coupler 60 is in a first position. As further disclosed herein,this allows the first plate 16 and the second plate 18 to bend each withits own neutral bending axis 66A, 66B respectively (shown in FIG. 8B)during longitudinal bending of the plate assembly 10 when notoperatively connected by the coupler 60. When the coupler 60 is moved tothe second position and operatively engages the second plate 18,however, the free portion 56 is longitudinally fixed relative to theunderlying portion of the first plate 16, and the plate assembly 10bends as a single unit with a single neutral bending axis 66C (shown inFIG. 8C) and a significantly greater bending stiffness.

Referring to FIG. 3, a transversely movable coupler 60 is selectivelymovable between a first position of FIGS. 3 and 5 and a second positionof FIGS. 4 and 6. In the first position, when the plate assembly 10bends along the longitudinal axis L at the flexion region 32, each plate16, 18 bends independently of one another, and the bending stiffness ofthe plate assembly 10 in the flexion region 32 is associated with thesum of the bending stiffness of the first plate 16 and the bendingstiffness of the second plate 18. Stated differently, a neutral bendingaxis 66A extends through the first plate 16 and a separate neutralbending axis 66B extends through the second plate 18, as shown in FIG.8B, when the coupler 60 is in the first position. A portion 68A of thefirst plate 16 above the neutral axis 66A is subject to compression anda portion 69A of the first plate 16 below the neutral axis 66A issubject to tension during longitudinal bending of the plate assembly 10along the longitudinal axis L at the flexion region 32 when the coupler60 is in the first position. A portion 68B of the second plate 18 abovethe neutral axis 66B is subject to compression and a portion 69B of thesecond plate 18 below the neutral axis 66B is subject to tension duringlongitudinal bending of the plate assembly 10 along the longitudinalaxis L at the flexion region 32 when the coupler 60 is in the firstposition.

With the coupler 60 in the first position, the bending stiffness of eachplate 16, 18 is proportional to its moment of inertia about the fixedportions 34, 35. Generally, the longitudinal bending stiffness of aplate is directly proportional to the moment of inertia (I) of theplate, with bending stiffness increasing linearly as moment of inertiaincreases. Equation 1 is the moment of inertia/of a plate:

$\begin{matrix}{{I = \left( \frac{4{bh}^{3}}{12} \right)},} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1}\end{matrix}$

where b is the width of the plate, and h is the height of the plate.Accordingly, the bending stiffness of a plate is proportional to thecube of its height.

When the coupler 60 is in the first position, the bending stiffness ofthe plate assembly 10 is associated with the height H1 of the firstplate 16, and the height H2 of the second plate 18 in the flexion region32. The height of the stanchions extending from the plates 16, 18 do notinfluence the bending stiffness as they are not fixed to the neighboringplate.

When the coupler 60 effectively couples the second plate 18 to the firstplate 16 when in the second position so that the stiffness of the plateassembly 10 is correlated with the overall height H3 of the plateassembly 10 from the proximal surface 62 of the second plate 18 to thedistal surface 64 of the first plate 16. When the coupler 60 is in thesecond position, the first plate 16 is in tension and the second plate18 is in compression during longitudinal bending of the plate assembly10 at the flexion region 32 over the flexion range.

The coupler 60 is operatively connected to the first plate 16 and isdisposed adjacent to the free portion 56 of the second plate 18. As bestshown in FIG. 3, the coupler 60 includes a first link 70 and a secondlink 78. The first link 70 has a fixed end 71 pivotably connected to thefirst plate 16 at a fixed pivot 72, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. Forexample, a pin 74 extends downward from the link 70 into an opening 76of the first plate 16, establishing a fixed pivot axis, also referred toas a fixed pivot 72 as best shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 16.

The second link 78 is pivotably connected to the first link 70 at amovable pivot 80. For example, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, an end 70Aof the first link 70 is a circular head with a central opening. Thecircular head of the end 70A is approximately one half the height of thebody 70B of the link 70. The second link 78 also has an end 78A with acircular head having a central opening, with the circular head of theend 78A approximately half the height of the body 78B of the second link78. The ends 70A, 78A heads are stacked on one another with the openingsaligned, defining a movable pivot with a pivot axis 81.

The second link 78 also has a free end 82. The free end 82 has a pin 84extending from its distal surface. The pin 84 is received in a slot 86that extends through the first plate 16 as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 7.The free end 82 is referred to as “free” because its longitudinalposition relative to the first plate 16 can vary along the length of theslot 86 as the pin 84 rides in the slot 86. In contrast, the fixed end71 is fixed in a longitudinal position relative to the first plate 16 atthe fixed pivot 72. The movable pivot 80 is between the fixed pivot 72and the free end 82 of the second link 78 in the longitudinal direction,both when the coupler 60 is in the first position and when the coupler60 is in the second position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The plate assembly 10 includes a third plate 20 disposed above and fixedto the first plate 16 on the same side of the first plate 16 as thesecond plate 18 (i.e., on the proximal side in FIG. 1). For example,through-holes 89 of the third plate 20 (shown in FIG. 6) align withthrough-holes 91 of the first plate 16 (shown in FIG. 7), and rivets,adhesive, or other connecting modes may be used to join the third plate20 to the first plate 16 at the aligned through-holes. The coupler 60 isat least partially nested between the first plate 16 and the third plate20. The third plate 20 is spaced longitudinally apart from the free end56 of the second plate 18 at a longitudinal gap 92. The width of thelongitudinal gap 92 is selected so that the gap 92 remains open over aflexion range that is at least as great as the range of flexion expectedduring various activities. For example, the gap 92 is configured toremain open over a range of flexion of 45 degrees, with the flex anglemeasured between a level ground plane and the longitudinal axis L at arearward extent of the flexion region 32 when the heel region 22 islifted and the sole structure 12 remains in contact with the groundplane. This range of flexion is greater than expected during walkingwhile wearing the article of footwear 14. Accordingly, with the coupler60 in the first position, the bending stiffness of the plate assembly 10will remain at the relatively low level associated with the firstposition of the coupler 60 throughout the walking stride.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 16, and 17, a cable 88 is secured to the coupler 60at the movable pivot 80. The cable 88 includes a medial portion 88A thatextends laterally-outward from the movable pivot 80 beyond the medialedge 28 of the first plate 16, and a lateral portion 88B that extendslaterally-outward from the movable pivot 80 beyond the lateral edge 30of the first plate 16. Although the portions 88A, 88B are shownextending straight outward in FIG. 3, the cable 88 is flexible, asindicated in FIG. 2, and the portions 88A, 88B may be routed as desired,such as upward along an upper 90 of the article of footwear 14, asfurther described with respect to FIG. 12. In FIG. 17, the portions 88A,88B are threaded through the stacked openings of the links 70, 78 at themovable pivot 80, and the respective ends 90A, 90B of the portions 88A,88B are shown bent to indicate that the portions 88A, 88B are secured tothe links 70, 78 at the movable pivot 80. The ends 90A, 90B may beknotted, tied together, or tied to the portions 88A, 88C to maintain theportions 88A, 88B of the cable 88 secured to the coupler 60 at themovable pivot 80. The cable 88 may be a single cable with the portions88A, 88B part of a unitary loop extending within the upper 90, such asshown and described with respect to FIG. 12, or the portions 88A, 88Bmay be separate cables that extend upward along the respective medialand lateral sides of the upper 90 to be pulled separately to move thecoupler 60.

The first link 70 and the second link 78 move transversely relative tothe first plate 16 at the movable pivot 80 when the coupler 60 isselectively moved from the first position of FIG. 3 to the secondposition of FIG. 4. The free end 82 of the second link 78 is spacedapart from the second plate 18 when the coupler 60 is in the firstposition. For example, as shown in the bottom view of FIG. 5, the freeend 82 is partially under the free portion 56 of the second plate 18,but the end surface 83 of the free end 82 of the link 78 (best shown inFIG. 17) is not in contact with the second plate 18. Accordingly, whenthe plate assembly 10 bends during dorsiflexion, the free portion 56 ofthe second plate 18 can travel in a longitudinal gap 92.

The coupler 60 is transversely movable from the first position of FIG. 3to the second position of FIG. 4 by a laterally-outward force F1,indicated in FIG. 4, applied on the medial portion 88A of the cable 88.The coupler 60 is transversely movable from the second position to thefirst position by a laterally-outward force F2 on the lateral portion88B of the cable 88. The cable 88 extends out of the bottom of thestacked links 70, 78, as shown in FIG. 17. The first plate 16 hasopenings through which the cable 88 extends downward from the movablepivot 80, and the cable 88 then extends laterally outward in channels 94formed by the first plate 16 on the bottom of the first plate 16 as bestshown in FIG. 7. This helps to restrain the cable 88 and guide itsmovement in the lateral direction during a switch between the firstposition and the second position of the coupler 60. Vertical walls 100,102 of the first plate 16 limit transverse movement of the coupler 60toward the lateral edge 30 and establish the first position of thecoupler 60 when the coupler 60 abuts the walls 100, 102 as shown in FIG.3. Vertical walls 104, 106 of the first plate 16 limit transversemovement of the coupler 60 toward the medial edge 28 and establish thesecond position of the coupler 60 shown in FIG. 4. A rounded wallbetween vertical walls 100, 102 receives the heads of the links 70, 78at the movable pivot 80 in the first position. A rounded wall betweenvertical walls 104, 106 receives the heads of the links 70, 78 at themovable pivot 80 in the second position.

The angle A1 between the walls 100, 102 (shown in FIG. 4) is less thanthe angle A2 between the walls 104, 106 (shown in FIG. 3). Because thefixed end of the link 70 remains in one longitudinal position relativeto the first plate 16 at all positions of the coupler 60, the free end82 of the second link 78 will be moved forward in the slot 86 in thesecond position relative to the first position. The distal surface ofthe second plate 18 has a downward-extending protrusion 109 with arear-opening notch 112 at the free end 56. A plurality of buttresses 111extend downward from the second plate 18, and extend forward from theprotrusion 109 to support the free portion 56 and inhibit buckling ofthe free portion 56.

The angle A2, the length of the links 70, 78 and the position of thenotch 112 are selected so that the surface 83 of the free end 82 abutsthe second plate 18 at a wall 114 of the notch 112 when the coupler 60is in the second position. This abutment is referred to as the coupler60 operatively engaging the second plate 18 because, when the plateassembly 10 bends longitudinally with the coupler 60 abutting the secondplate 18, the second plate 18 cannot slide longitudinally relative tothe first plate 16 and the plates 16, 18 are connected to bend as asingle unit with a bending stiffness proportional to the inertia of theplate assembly 10 according to Equation 1 above, with the height h beingthe total height H3 of the plate assembly 10 from the proximal surface62 of the second plate 18 to the distal surface 64 of the first plate16, as shown in FIG. 8C. More specifically, the plate assembly 10 has asingle neutral bending axis 66C. Because the second plate 18 is abovethe neutral bending axis, it is entirely in compression, while the firstplate 16 below the neutral bending axis 66C is entirely in tension. Theheight H3 is significantly greater than the height H1 and the height H2,and the bending stiffness of the plate assembly 10 with the coupler 60in the second position is likewise significantly greater than when thecoupler 60 is in the first position.

As is apparent in FIGS. 3 and 4, the movable pivot 80 is transverselyoffset from both the fixed pivot 72 and the free end 82 of the secondlink 78 toward the lateral edge 30 when the coupler 60 is in the firstposition, and the movable pivot 80 is transversely offset from both thefixed pivot 72 and the free end 82 of the second link 78 toward themedial edge 28 of the first plate 16 when the coupler 60 is in thesecond position. Both the first position and the second position of thecoupler 60 may be referred to as over-center positions, as the coupler60 must pass through a straight state (in which the links 70, 78 are 180degrees apart from one another (i.e., extend along a straight line) intransitioning from the first position to the second position or from thesecond position to the first position. The walls 104, 106 help tosupport the links 70, 78, acting as reaction surfaces for the links 70,78 when the coupler 60 is in the second position, providing morestability to the coupler 60 than if the coupler 60 was subjected tocompressive force in the straight position.

Although the fixed portion 34 is shown fixed forward of the flexionregion 32, in an alternative embodiment, the second plate 18 can beconfigured so that a fixed portion is disposed rearward of the flexionregion 32, and the free portion and the coupler 60 are disposed forwardof the flexion region. As another alternative embodiment, the componentsof the plate assembly 10 can be configured so that the fixed pivot 72 ofthe coupler 60 could be secured to the second plate 18, and the free end82 of the link 78 can be configured to operatively engage a wall of thefirst plate 16 when the coupler 60 is in the second position.

FIG. 10 shows the plate assembly 10 when assembled with other componentsof the sole structure 12. For example, the sole structure 12 includes amidsole 120 having a forefoot region 22, a midfoot region 24, and a heelregion 26. The midsole 120 has an opening 122 extending from a proximalsurface 124 of the midsole to a distal surface 126 of the midsole in theforefoot region 22. The midsole 120 extends over the plate assembly 10in the heel region 26 and the midfoot region 24 such that it overliesthe first plate 16 and the second plate 18. In the forefoot region 22,the first plate 16 and the second plate 18 extend in the opening 122.This avoids stacking the midsole 120 entirely above the plate assembly10 in the forefoot region 22, preventing an excessive vertical height ofthe sole structure 12 in the forefoot region 22. Generally, solestructures are configured to have a lower overall height in the forefootregion 22 than in the heel region 26.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 15 show a multi-piece outsole 130 secured to thedistal surface of the first plate 16 and to the bottom surface of themidsole 120. As best shown in FIG. 15, the outsole 130 includes a firstportion 130A that extends in the forefoot region 22, the midfoot region24, and the heel region 26, and a discrete second portion 130B thatextends only in the heel region 26. In the forefoot region 22 and themidfoot region 24, the first portion 130A extends laterally-outward ofthe medial edge 28 and the lateral edge 30 of the first plate 16.Lateral cutouts 135 are provided at both the lateral side and the medialside of the first portion 130A in the flexion region 32, and extend fromthe respective side past the longitudinal axis L of the sole structure12. The lateral cutouts 135 ensure that, during longitudinal bending,the outsole portion 130A does not significantly contribute to thebending stiffness of the sole structure 12 at the flexion region 32, sothat the bending stiffness of the sole structure 12 is mainly dependentupon the plate assembly 10 in the flexion region 32. Similarly, thefirst portion 130A is separated from the second portion 130B by a gap141 in the heel region 26. The gap 141 promotes torsional flexibility ofthe outsole 130. Fins 146 extend downward from the outsole 130 forincreased traction and may aid in minimizing twisting of the article offootwear 14 during the backswing and downswing stages of a golf swing.The fins 146 are arranged on either side of a groove 143 in the forefootand midfoot regions of the first portion 130A.

As best indicated in FIGS. 10 and 15, the medial and lateral cableportions 88A, 88B extend laterally-outward from the sole structure 12 inthe channels 94 shown in FIG. 7 between a distal surface of the firstplate 16 and a proximal surface of the first portion 130A of the outsole130. FIG. 14 also indicates the cable portion 88A, 88B extending belowthe first plate 16

The cable 88 may be accessible to the wearer in various positions. Inone example, the cable 88 is a unitary cable, as shown in FIGS. 12 and13. For example, the article of footwear 14 includes an upper 90 securedto the midsole 120 to define a foot-receiving cavity 150 for receivingand supporting a wearer's foot on the sole structure 12. The medialportion 88A of the cable 88 extends along a medial side 152 of the upper90, and the lateral portion 88B of the cable 88 extends along a lateralside 154 of the upper 90. An elastic sleeve 156 surrounds the medialportion 88A and the lateral portion 88B. The elastic sleeve 156 may besecured to a lower portion of the upper 90 by being positioned laterallyinward of the midsole 120 as indicated in FIG. 12.

The elastic sleeve 156 may be liftable away from the exterior surface ofthe upper 90 by an outward force having a lateral component in order totension either the medial portion 88A or the lateral portion 88B toswitch the position of the coupler 60. For example, as shown in FIG. 13,a force FM may be applied by grabbing and lifting the elastic sleeve 156to the position 156M at the medial side 152 of the upper 90. The forceFM has a laterally-outward component that pulls the medial portion 88Aof the cable 88 laterally outward, moving the coupler 60 from the firstposition to the second position, as described with respect to FIGS. 3and 4. Similarly, a force FL applied by grabbing and lifting the elasticsleeve 156 at the lateral side 154 of the upper 90 to the position 156Lhas a laterally-outward component that pulls the lateral portion 88B ofthe cable 88 laterally outward, moving the coupler 60 from the secondposition to the first position, as described with respect to FIGS. 3 and4. When not being pulled, the cable 88 can have some slack within theelastic sleeve 156.

In some embodiments, the medial portion 88A and the lateral portion 88Bcan be two separate cables. In such embodiments, the separate cablescould be tied to one another in the sleeve 156. Alternatively, theseparate cables could each be secured to the upper 90, such as byextending through separate eyelets of the upper, or by securing to otherlacing or tensioning elements provided on the upper. The separate cableswould function in the same manner as described to move the movable joint80 of the coupler 60 transversely under a laterally-outward force at thecable on the medial side of the upper or on the cable at the lateralside of the upper.

FIGS. 18-22 show another embodiment of a plate assembly 210 that is partof a sole structure 214 (shown in FIG. 23) for an article of footwear.The plate assembly 210 includes a first plate 216, a second plate 218,and a third plate 220 that function in the same manner as described withrespect to the first plate 16, the second plate 18, and the third plate20 of the plate assembly 10. The plate assembly 210 has a flexion region32, and a vertical gap 44 as described with respect to plate assembly10. A longitudinal gap 292 exists between the second plate 218 and thethird plate 220 and remains open over a range of flexion of the plateassembly 210.

The plate assembly 210 includes a coupler 260 that is selectivelymovable transversely relative to the first plate 216 and the secondplate 218 between a first position (shown in FIGS. 18 and 19) and asecond position (shown in FIG. 20). The first position establishes afirst, relatively low bending stiffness and the second positionestablishes a second, relatively high bending stiffness, respectively,of the plate assembly 210 under longitudinal bending in the flexionregion 32. The coupler 260 has a medial end 288A that extendslaterally-outward of the medial edge 228 of the first plate 216 in boththe first position and the second position, and a lateral end 288B thatextends laterally-outward of a lateral edge 230 of the first plate 216in both the first position and the second position, as is apparent inFIGS. 19 and 20.

Similar to coupler 60, the coupler 260 is operatively connected to thefirst plate 216 as shown in FIG. 19, such that it is disposed adjacent afree portion 256 of the second plate 218, shown in FIG. 18. A post 255extends upward from a proximal surface of the first plate 216. Thecoupler 260 has a slot 257 extending through the coupler 260 from aproximal surface 258 of the coupler 260 shown in FIG. 19 to a distalsurface 261 of the coupler 260 shown in FIG. 21. The post 255 extendsthrough the slot 257. Moreover, the third plate 220 is secured to thefirst plate 216 so that the coupler 260 is nested between the plates216, 220.

The coupler 260 has a tab 259 extending into the slot 257 such that theslot is narrowed at the tab. The tab 259 helps to retain the coupler 260in the selected position, and may provide tactile feedback as to whenthe position is achieved. The post 255 is between the first end 257A ofthe slot 257 and the tab 259 when the coupler 260 is in the firstposition of FIG. 19. The post 255 is between the second end 257B of theslot 257 and the tab 259 when the coupler 260 is in the second positionof FIG. 20.

The coupler 260 is selectively movable transversely relative to thefirst plate 216 and the second plate 218 from the first position to thesecond position by applying a laterally inward force F11 on the end288B, represented in FIG. 19. Alternatively or in addition, a laterallyoutward force F01 may be applied to the end 288A to move the coupler 260from the first position to the second position. One or both of theseforces may be applied manually. Alternatively, the laterally inwardforce F11 on the end 288B may be applied with the opposite foot of thewearer, for example.

To selectively move the coupler 260 from the second position to thefirst position, a laterally inward force FI2 may be applied on the end288A, represented in FIG. 20. Alternatively or in addition, a laterallyoutward force F02 may be applied to the end 288B to move the coupler 260from the first position to the second position. One or both of theseforces may be applied manually. Alternatively, the laterally inwardforce on the end 288A may be applied with the opposite foot of thewearer, for example.

As shown in FIG. 21, the coupler 260 is spaced apart longitudinally fromthe second plate 218 when the coupler 260 is in the first position suchthat the second plate 218 bends separately from the first plate 216during longitudinal bending of the sole structure 212 at the flexionregion 32 over a flexion range, such as a flexion range of 0 to 45degrees. The coupler 260 has a first set of teeth 267A, 267B that extendlongitudinally toward the second plate 218. Each of the teeth 267A, 267Bmay be referred to as a protrusion. The second plate 218 has a secondset of teeth 277A, 277B extending longitudinally toward the coupler 260.Each of the teeth 277A, 277B may be referred to as a protrusion. Theteeth 277A, 277B are part of a downward protrusion 209 at a distalsurface 238 of the free portion 256.

The teeth 267A, 267B of the coupler 260 are transversely offset from andspaced apart from the teeth 277A, 277B of the second plate 218 when thecoupler 260 is in the first position, as shown in FIG. 21. With the setsof teeth 267A, 267B and 277A, 277B offset from one another in thismanner, the free end 256 of the second plate 218 is not subjected tocompressive forces by the first plate 216, as the teeth 267A, 267B canmove forward between teeth 277A, 277B at least over the distance Dbetween the wall 273 of the protrusion 209 and the forward end of thetooth 267A.

The teeth 267A, 267B are at least partially aligned with and abut theteeth 277A, 277B when the coupler 260 is in the second position, asshown in FIG. 22. With the teeth 277A, 277B abutting teeth 267A, 267B,the coupler 260 is operatively engaged with the second plate 218.Referring to FIG. 20, the first plate 216 has a wall 202 with avertically-extending surface 215 disposed at a rear end of the coupler260. During longitudinal bending of the plate assembly 210, the coupler260 abuts both the surface 215 of the wall 202 of the first plate 216,and the teeth 277A, 277B of the second plate 218. The second plate 218is thus fixed longitudinally relative to the first plate 216 in theflexion region 32, and the second plate 218 bends only in compressionwhile the first plate bends only in tension with a single neutralbending axis in a vertical position between the plates 216, 218 duringlongitudinal bending of the sole structure 212 at the flexion region 32over a flexion range.

When the coupler 260 is in the first position, the free end 256 of thesecond plate 218 is not engaged by the coupler 260, and each of thefirst plate 216 and the second plate 218 has a separate neutral bendingaxis NB1, NB2, respectively. The portion of the first plate 216 abovethe neutral bending axis NB1 of the first plate is in compression, andthe portion of the first plate 216 below the neutral bending axis NB1 isin tension. Likewise, the portion of the second plate 218 above theneutral bending axis NB2 is in compression, and the portion of thesecond plate 218 below the neutral bending axis NB2 is in tension.

When the coupler 260 is in the second position, a single neutral bendingaxis NB3 of the plate assembly 210 extends at a position between thefirst plate 216 and the second plate 218, similar to the neutral bendingaxis 66C of FIG. 8C. The first plate 216 is in tension, and the secondplate 218 is in compression. An increase in bending stiffness of theplate assembly 210 relative to the bending stiffness when the coupler260 is in the first position is associated with this position of asingle neutral bending axis.

FIG. 23 shows the sole structure 212 with the plate assembly 210assembled with the midsole 120 and the outsole 130 described withrespect to FIG. 10. The midsole 120 at least partially surrounds theplate assembly 210. The midsole 120 has an opening 222 from its proximalsurface to its distal surface even larger than opening 122 of FIG. 10,and each of the first plate 216 and the second plate 218 extend in theopening 222. As best shown in FIG. 24, a rear extent 222A of the opening222 is forward of the coupler 260, so that the midsole 120 has a recess223, rather than a through-hole, rearward of the rear extent 222A, withthe third plate 220 in the recess 223 and a portion 225 of the midsole120 underlying and supporting the third plate 220.

The midsole 120 has a medial side wall 227A with a medial opening 229A,and a lateral side wall 227B with a lateral opening 229B. The openings229A, 229B are configured to be of a sufficient size and the coupler 260is configured to be of a sufficient length so that the coupler 260extends through both of the medial opening 229A and the lateral opening229B in both the first position and the second position of the coupler260.

FIGS. 25-27 show another embodiment of a plate assembly 310 in whichportions indicated as a first plate 316 and a second plate 318 are partof a unitary, one-piece component. A coupler 360 includes a first set oflongitudinally extending teeth 367 that extend toward a second set oflongitudinally extending teeth disposed on a free portion 356 of thesecond plate 318. The coupler 360 can be selectively moved between afirst position, shown in FIG. 25, and a second position shown in FIG.26, similar to the coupler 260 of FIGS. 21 and 22. In the first positionof the coupler 360, the teeth 367 are transversely offset from the teeth377 and the second plate 318 bends separately from the first plate, eachplate 316, 318 having a separate neutral bending axis, a portion incompression, and apportion in tension. In the second position of thecoupler 360, the teeth 367 are at least partially aligned with and abutthe teeth 377 so that the coupler 360 is engaged with the second plate318, and the first plate and second plate bend as a unit, with a singleneutral bending axis between the first plate and the second plate, thefirst plate 216 bending in tension and the second plate 218 bending incompression when the plate assembly 310 bends along its longitudinalaxis L in the flexion region 32.

The following Clauses provide example configurations of a sole structurefor an article of footwear disclosed herein.

Clause 1: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprising: afirst plate and a second plate both extending longitudinally in aflexion region of the sole structure with the second plate disposedabove the first plate in the flexion region; wherein the second platehas a fixed portion fixed to the first plate, and has a free portion; acoupler operatively connected to one of the first plate and the freeportion of the second plate; wherein the coupler is selectably movabletransversely relative to the first plate and the second plate between afirst position and a second position; wherein the coupler is spacedapart from the other one of the first plate and the free portion of thesecond plate when the coupler is in the first position; and wherein thecoupler operatively engages the other one of the first plate and thefree portion of the second plate when the coupler is in the secondposition.

Clause 2: The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein: when the coupler isin the first position, the first plate has a portion in tension and aportion in compression during longitudinal bending of the sole structureat the flexion region; and when the coupler is in the second position,the first plate is in tension and the second plate is in compressionduring longitudinal bending of the sole structure at the flexion region.

Clause 3: The sole structure of Clause 1 or Clause 2, wherein the secondplate is spaced apart from the first plate by a vertical gap in theflexion region; and the sole structure further comprising stanchionsextending from at least one of the first plate and the second plateacross the vertical gap.

Clause 4: The sole structure of Clause 3, wherein the stanchionsinclude: a medial set of stanchions extending adjacent a medial edge ofsaid one of the first plate and the second plate; a lateral set ofstanchions adjacent a lateral edge of said one of the first plate andthe second plate; and a central set of stanchions disposed between themedial set and the lateral set and extending from the other one of thefirst plate and the second plate than the medial set and the lateralset.

Clause 5: The sole structure of Clause 4, wherein: each stanchion of themedial set and each stanchion of the lateral set has a groove at aninward side of the stanchion; each stanchion of the central set has amedial lip at the medial side of the stanchion and a lateral lip at thelateral side of the stanchion; and the medial lip interfits with thegroove of the medial set and the lateral lip interfits with the grooveof the lateral set.

Clause 6: The sole structure of any of Clauses 1-5, wherein: at thefixed portion of the second plate, a distal surface of the second platehas one of a protrusion and a recess; and a proximal surface of thefirst plate has the other one of the protrusion and the recess; and theprotrusion fits into the recess.

Clause 7: The sole structure of Clause 6, wherein the recess is anannular groove.

Clause 8: The sole structure of any of Clauses 1-7, further comprising:a third plate fixed to the first plate on the same side of the firstplate as the second plate; wherein the third plate is spacedlongitudinally apart from the second plate by a longitudinal gap; andwherein the coupler is at least partially nested between the first plateand the third plate.

Clause 9: The sole structure of any of Clauses 1-8, further comprising:a midsole having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region;wherein the midsole overlies the first plate and the second plate;wherein the midsole has an opening extending from a proximal surface ofthe midsole to a distal surface of the midsole in the forefoot region;and wherein the first plate and the second plate extend in the opening.

Clause 10: The sole structure of any of Clauses 1-9, wherein: thecoupler is fixed to the first plate; the second plate has a protrusionwith a wall at least partially facing the coupler; and the coupler abutsthe wall when the coupler is in the second position.

Clause 11: The sole structure of any of Clauses 1-10, wherein: thecoupler includes a first link and a second link; the first link ispivotably connected to the first plate at a fixed pivot; the second linkis pivotably connected to the first link at a movable pivot; the secondlink has a free end, and the movable pivot is disposed between the fixedpivot and the free end of the second link; the first link and the secondlink move transversely relative to the first plate at the movable pivotwhen the coupler moves from the first position to the second position;and the free end of the second link is spaced apart from the freeportion of the second plate when the coupler is in the first position,and operatively engages the second plate when the coupler is in thesecond position.

Clause 12: The sole structure of Clause 11, further comprising: at leastone cable secured to the coupler at the movable pivot; wherein a medialportion of the at least one cable extends laterally-outward from themovable pivot beyond a medial edge of the first plate, and a lateralportion of the at least one cable extends laterally-outward from themovable pivot beyond a lateral edge of the first plate; wherein thecoupler is transversely movable from the first position to the secondposition by a laterally-outward force on one of the medial portion andthe lateral portion of the at least one cable; and wherein the coupleris transversely movable from the second position to the first positionby a laterally-outward force on the other of the medial portion and thelateral portion of the at least one cable.

Clause 13: The sole structure of Clause 12, wherein: the movable pivotis transversely offset from both the fixed pivot and the free end of thesecond link toward one of the lateral edge and the medial edge of thefirst plate when the coupler is in the first position; and the movablepivot is transversely offset from both the fixed pivot and the free endof the second link toward the other one of the lateral edge and themedial edge of the first plate when the coupler is in the secondposition.

Clause 14: The sole structure of any of Clauses 12-13, in combinationwith an upper secured to the sole structure; and wherein the medialportion of the at least one cable extends along a medial side of theupper, and the lateral portion of the at least one cable extends along alateral side of the upper.

Clause 15: The sole structure of any of Clauses 12-14, furthercomprising: a sleeve surrounding either or both of the medial portionand the lateral portion of the at least one cable.

Clause 16: The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein the coupler has amedial end extending laterally-outward of a medial edge of the firstplate in both the first position and the second position, and a lateralend extending laterally-outward of a lateral edge of the first plate inboth the first position and the second position.

Clause 17: The sole structure of Clause 16, wherein: the coupler has aprotrusion extending toward the other one of the first plate and thesecond plate; the other one of the first plate and the second plate hasa protrusion extending toward the coupler; the protrusion of the coupleris transversely offset from and spaced apart from the protrusion of theother one of the first plate and the second plate when the coupler is inthe first position; and the protrusion of the coupler is at leastpartially aligned with and abuts the protrusion of the other one of thefirst plate and the second plate when the coupler is in the secondposition.

Clause 18: The sole structure of Clause 17, wherein: the coupler has afirst set of teeth extending longitudinally toward the other one of thefirst plate and the second plate; the other one of the first plate andthe second plate has a second set of teeth extending longitudinallytoward the coupler; the teeth of the first set are transversely offsetfrom and spaced apart from the teeth of the second set when the coupleris in the first position; and the teeth of the first set of teeth are atleast partially aligned with and abut the teeth of the second set whenthe coupler is in the second position.

Clause 19: The sole structure of Clause 18, further comprising: a postextending from the one of the first plate and the second plate; wherein:the coupler has a slot extending through the coupler from a proximalsurface of the coupler to a distal surface of the coupler; the postextends through the slot of the coupler; the post is at a first end ofthe slot when the coupler is in the first position; and the post is at asecond end of the slot opposite the first end when the coupler is in thesecond position.

Clause 20: The sole structure of Clause 19, wherein: the coupler has atab extending into the slot such that the slot is narrowed at the tab;the post is between the first end of the slot and the tab when thecoupler is in the first position; and the post is between the second endof the slot and the tab when the coupler is in the second position.

Clause 21: The sole structure of any of Clauses 16-20, furthercomprising: a midsole at least partially surrounding the first plate andthe second plate; wherein the midsole has a medial side wall with amedial opening; wherein the midsole has a lateral side wall with alateral opening; and wherein the coupler extends through both of themedial opening and the lateral opening in both the first position andthe second position.

To assist and clarify the description of various embodiments, variousterms are defined herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the followingdefinitions apply throughout this specification (including the claims).Additionally, all references referred to are incorporated herein intheir entirety.

An “article of footwear”, a “footwear article of manufacture”, and“footwear” may be considered to be both a machine and a manufacture.Assembled, ready to wear footwear articles (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots,etc.), as well as discrete components of footwear articles (such as amidsole, an outsole, an upper component, etc.) prior to final assemblyinto ready to wear footwear articles, are considered and alternativelyreferred to herein in either the singular or plural as “article(s) offootwear” or “footwear”.

“A”, “an”, “the”, “at least one”, and “one or more” are usedinterchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items is present. Aplurality of such items may be present unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters (e.g., ofquantities or conditions) in this specification, unless otherwiseindicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, including theappended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instancesby the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before thenumerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical valueallows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in thevalue; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If theimprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the artwith this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates atleast variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring andusing such parameters. As used in the description and the accompanyingclaims, a value is considered to be “approximately” equal to a statedvalue if it is neither more than 5 percent greater than nor more than 5percent less than the stated value. In addition, a disclosure of a rangeis to be understood as specifically disclosing all values and furtherdivided ranges within the range.

The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are inclusive andtherefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations,elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition ofone or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components.Orders of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible,and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in thisspecification, the term “or” includes any one and all combinations ofthe associated listed items. The term “any of” is understood to includeany possible combination of referenced items, including “any one of” thereferenced items. The term “any of” is understood to include anypossible combination of referenced claims of the appended claims,including “any one of” the referenced claims.

For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives may be employedthroughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustratedembodiments. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatterms such as “above”, “below”, “upward”, “downward”, “top”, “bottom”,etc., may be used descriptively relative to the figures, withoutrepresenting limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined bythe claims.

The term “longitudinal” refers to a direction extending a length of acomponent. For example, a longitudinal direction of a shoe extendsbetween a forefoot region and a heel region of the shoe. The term“forward” or “anterior” is used to refer to the general direction from aheel region toward a forefoot region, and the term “rearward” or“posterior” is used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., thedirection from the forefoot region toward the heel region. In somecases, a component may be identified with a longitudinal axis as well asa forward and rearward longitudinal direction along that axis. Thelongitudinal direction or axis may also be referred to as ananterior-posterior direction or axis.

The term “transverse” refers to a direction extending a width of acomponent. For example, a transverse direction of a shoe extends betweena lateral side and a medial side of the shoe. The transverse directionor axis may also be referred to as a lateral direction or axis or amediolateral direction or axis.

The term “vertical” refers to a direction generally perpendicular toboth the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, in caseswhere a sole is planted flat on a ground surface, the vertical directionmay extend from the ground surface upward. It will be understood thateach of these directional adjectives may be applied to individualcomponents of a sole. The term “upward” or “upwards” refers to thevertical direction pointing towards a top of the component, which mayinclude an instep, a fastening region and/or a throat of an upper. Theterm “downward” or “downwards” refers to the vertical direction pointingopposite the upwards direction, toward the bottom of a component and maygenerally point towards the bottom of a sole structure of an article offootwear.

The “interior” of an article of footwear, such as a shoe, refers toportions at the space that is occupied by a wearer's foot when the shoeis worn. The “inner side” of a component refers to the side or surfaceof the component that is (or will be) oriented toward the interior ofthe component or article of footwear in an assembled article offootwear. The “outer side” or “exterior” of a component refers to theside or surface of the component that is (or will be) oriented away fromthe interior of the shoe in an assembled shoe. In some cases, othercomponents may be between the inner side of a component and the interiorin the assembled article of footwear. Similarly, other components may bebetween an outer side of a component and the space external to theassembled article of footwear. Further, the terms “inward” and“inwardly” refer to the direction toward the interior of the componentor article of footwear, such as a shoe, and the terms “outward” and“outwardly” refer to the direction toward the exterior of the componentor article of footwear, such as the shoe. In addition, the term“proximal” refers to a direction that is nearer a center of a footwearcomponent, or is closer toward a foot when the foot is inserted in thearticle of footwear as it is worn by a user. Likewise, the term “distal”refers to a relative position that is further away from a center of thefootwear component or is further from a foot when the foot is insertedin the article of footwear as it is worn by a user. Thus, the termsproximal and distal may be understood to provide generally opposingterms to describe relative spatial positions.

While various embodiments have been described, the description isintended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments andimplementations are possible that are within the scope of theembodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combinationwith or substituted for any other feature or element in any otherembodiment unless specifically restricted. Accordingly, the embodimentsare not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims andtheir equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be madewithin the scope of the attached claims.

While several modes for carrying out the many aspects of the presentteachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art towhich these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspectsfor practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of theappended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative and exemplary of the entire range of alternativeembodiments that an ordinarily skilled artisan would recognize asimplied by, structurally and/or functionally equivalent to, or otherwiserendered obvious based upon the included content, and not as limitedsolely to those explicitly depicted and/or described embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sole structure for an article of footwearcomprising: a first plate and a second plate both extendinglongitudinally in a flexion region of the sole structure with the secondplate disposed above the first plate in the flexion region; wherein thesecond plate has a fixed portion fixed to the first plate, and has afree portion; a coupler operatively connected to one of the first plateand the free portion of the second plate; wherein the coupler isselectably movable transversely relative to the first plate and thesecond plate between a first position and a second position; wherein thecoupler is spaced apart from the other one of the first plate and thefree portion of the second plate when the coupler is in the firstposition; and wherein the coupler operatively engages the other one ofthe first plate and the free portion of the second plate when thecoupler is in the second position.
 2. The sole structure of claim 1,wherein: when the coupler is in the first position, the first plate hasa portion in tension and a portion in compression during longitudinalbending of the sole structure at the flexion region; and when thecoupler is in the second position, the first plate is in tension and thesecond plate is in compression during longitudinal bending of the solestructure at the flexion region.
 3. The sole structure of claim 1,wherein the second plate is spaced apart from the first plate by avertical gap in the flexion region; and the sole structure furthercomprising stanchions extending from at least one of the first plate andthe second plate across the vertical gap.
 4. The sole structure of claim3, wherein the stanchions include: a medial set of stanchions extendingadjacent a medial edge of said one of the first plate and the secondplate; a lateral set of stanchions adjacent a lateral edge of said oneof the first plate and the second plate; and a central set of stanchionsdisposed between the medial set and the lateral set and extending fromthe other one of the first plate and the second plate than the medialset and the lateral set.
 5. The sole structure of claim 4, wherein: eachstanchion of the medial set and each stanchion of the lateral set has agroove at an inward side of the stanchion; each stanchion of the centralset has a medial lip at the medial side of the stanchion and a laterallip at the lateral side of the stanchion; and the medial lip interfitswith the groove of the medial set and the lateral lip interfits with thegroove of the lateral set.
 6. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein: atthe fixed portion of the second plate, a distal surface of the secondplate has one of a protrusion and a recess; and a proximal surface ofthe first plate has the other one of the protrusion and the recess; andthe protrusion fits into the recess.
 7. The sole structure of claim 6,wherein the recess is an annular groove.
 8. The sole structure of claim1, further comprising: a third plate fixed to the first plate on thesame side of the first plate as the second plate; wherein the thirdplate is spaced longitudinally apart from the second plate by alongitudinal gap; and wherein the coupler is at least partially nestedbetween the first plate and the third plate.
 9. The sole structure ofclaim 1, further comprising: a midsole having a forefoot region, amidfoot region, and a heel region; wherein the midsole overlies thefirst plate and the second plate; wherein the midsole has an openingextending from a proximal surface of the midsole to a distal surface ofthe midsole in the forefoot region; and wherein the first plate and thesecond plate extend in the opening.
 10. The sole structure of claim 1,wherein: the coupler is fixed to the first plate; the second plate has aprotrusion with a wall at least partially facing the coupler; and thecoupler abuts the wall when the coupler is in the second position. 11.The sole structure of claim 1, wherein: the coupler includes a firstlink and a second link; the first link is pivotably connected to thefirst plate at a fixed pivot; the second link is pivotably connected tothe first link at a movable pivot; the second link has a free end, andthe movable pivot is disposed between the fixed pivot and the free endof the second link; the first link and the second link move transverselyrelative to the first plate at the movable pivot when the coupler movesfrom the first position to the second position; and the free end of thesecond link is spaced apart from the free portion of the second platewhen the coupler is in the first position, and operatively engages thesecond plate when the coupler is in the second position.
 12. The solestructure of claim 11, further comprising: at least one cable secured tothe coupler at the movable pivot; wherein a medial portion of the atleast one cable extends laterally-outward from the movable pivot beyonda medial edge of the first plate, and a lateral portion of the at leastone cable extends laterally-outward from the movable pivot beyond alateral edge of the first plate; wherein the coupler is transverselymovable from the first position to the second position by alaterally-outward force on one of the medial portion and the lateralportion of the at least one cable; and wherein the coupler istransversely movable from the second position to the first position by alaterally-outward force on the other of the medial portion and thelateral portion of the at least one cable.
 13. The sole structure ofclaim 12, wherein: the movable pivot is transversely offset from boththe fixed pivot and the free end of the second link toward one of thelateral edge and the medial edge of the first plate when the coupler isin the first position; and the movable pivot is transversely offset fromboth the fixed pivot and the free end of the second link toward theother one of the lateral edge and the medial edge of the first platewhen the coupler is in the second position.
 14. The sole structure ofclaim 12, in combination with an upper secured to the sole structure;and wherein the medial portion of the at least one cable extends along amedial side of the upper, and the lateral portion of the at least onecable extends along a lateral side of the upper.
 15. The sole structureof claim 12, further comprising: a sleeve surrounding either or both ofthe medial portion and the lateral portion of the at least one cable.16. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the coupler has a medial endextending laterally-outward of a medial edge of the first plate in boththe first position and the second position, and a lateral end extendinglaterally-outward of a lateral edge of the first plate in both the firstposition and the second position.
 17. The sole structure of claim 16,wherein: the coupler has a protrusion extending toward the other one ofthe first plate and the second plate; the other one of the first plateand the second plate has a protrusion extending toward the coupler; theprotrusion of the coupler is transversely offset from and spaced apartfrom the protrusion of the other one of the first plate and the secondplate when the coupler is in the first position; and the protrusion ofthe coupler is at least partially aligned with and abuts the protrusionof the other one of the first plate and the second plate when thecoupler is in the second position.
 18. The sole structure of claim 17,wherein: the coupler has a first set of teeth extending longitudinallytoward the other one of the first plate and the second plate; the otherone of the first plate and the second plate has a second set of teethextending longitudinally toward the coupler; the teeth of the first setare transversely offset from and spaced apart from the teeth of thesecond set when the coupler is in the first position; and the teeth ofthe first set of teeth are at least partially aligned with and abut theteeth of the second set when the coupler is in the second position. 19.The sole structure of claim 18, further comprising: a post extendingfrom the one of the first plate and the second plate; wherein: thecoupler has a slot extending through the coupler from a proximal surfaceof the coupler to a distal surface of the coupler; the post extendsthrough the slot of the coupler; the post is at a first end of the slotwhen the coupler is in the first position; the post is at a second endof the slot opposite the first end when the coupler is in the secondposition; the coupler has a tab extending into the slot such that theslot is narrowed at the tab; the post is between the first end of theslot and the tab when the coupler is in the first position; and the postis between the second end of the slot and the tab when the coupler is inthe second position.
 20. The sole structure of claim 16, furthercomprising: a midsole at least partially surrounding the first plate andthe second plate; wherein the midsole has a medial side wall with amedial opening; wherein the midsole has a lateral side wall with alateral opening; and wherein the coupler extends through both of themedial opening and the lateral opening in both the first position andthe second position.